Woz Event 2017

Something is coming & it is going to be big!

Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak announced Thursday, October 12th, 2017 the launch of a digital institute that aims to reprogram tech education and to inspire the next generation of innovators.

And he wants to do it from Arizona. It will be called Woz U.

The icon of innovation who helped shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products now wants to revamp the education process and address the skill gap for high-paying technology jobs across the country.

“Our goal is to educate and train people in employable digital skills without putting them into years of debt,” Wozniak said. “People are often afraid to choose a technology-based career because they think they can’t do it. I know they can, and I want to show them how.”

Woz U, with its corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, launched its online curriculum Thursday as part of Southern Careers Institute, a private, for-profit technical and trade school in Texas.

The company plans in 2018 to expand into physical campuses, called Woz Academy, in more than 30 cities across the country and around the world.

No details about locations for the potential campuses were announced at the Thursday event, which was hosted by DesTechAZ and AZ Tech Summit.